30 Years of Georgia's Membership in the United Nations

Interview with Dr. Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia

Since the UN reform, the United Nations Resident Coordinator plays an essential role in coordinating the work of all UN agencies in a country. How did this affect the UN activities in Georgia?

Since 2019, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator constitutes a separate entity which supports the coordination of all UN agencies, funds and programmes in Georgia. The Resident Coordinator is the most senior UN representative in the country and reports directly to the UN Secretary-General. The UN reform is now well advanced on the ground, in Georgia as well as globally. Resident coordinators and our respective teams are delivering improved leadership and coordination for the achievement of national development priorities.

In Georgia our efforts are directed at strengthening the work and amplifying the joint voice of the 14 resident and four non-resident agencies that make up the UN Country Team (UNCT) here. In our case also the World Bank and the IMF are members of the UNCT. Our framework agreement was signed back in October 2020 and we are currently 1,5 years into its implementation. We promote the coherence of actions of the UN and that the resources and expertise help achieve maximum impact.

In addition to the significant agency-specific work carried out by the individual UN Country Team members, we currently run nine joint programmes in Georgia, which are implemented by different groups of UN entities in close cooperation with the government. One example of a joint programme is our support to the transformation of the social protection system for persons with disabilities. Moreover, we foster coherence between development, humanitarian and peacebuilding actions by the UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations working in conflict-affected communities. We continue supporting the most vulnerable in these communities including to overcome COVID-19 challenges.

As the Resident Coordinator, you have come in a time when peace and security are under serious attack in our region. Considering the current challenges, what are your priorities?

At the UN, our mission is to assist our national partners in making Georgia a more prosperous and resilient country, with strong democratic institutions that enjoy the trust of the population and equal opportunities for all.

As mentioned above, our support to the country is governed by the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) agreed between the UN and the Georgian government for the period 2021-2025. The UNSDCF is composed of five strategic priority areas that draw from the 2030 Agenda and the government’s development priorities. Our UNSDCF has one overarching strategic priority: to enhance human wellbeing, capabilities and social equality in Georgia. We also strive for an enabling environment for sustainable peace within conflict-affected communities and across conflict divides.

Russia’s military actions in Ukraine have drawn global attention to the Black Sea region. What role does the UN play in resolving the Ukrainian issue and other potential hotspots including Georgia?

The UN has condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine and repeatedly called for an immediate halt to violence, for unfettered humanitarian access to all those in need, for safe evacuation of civilians trapped in areas of fighting and for urgent protection of civilians and respect for human rights in accordance with international norms.

Since February 24, the UN and our partners have dramatically scaled up operations, reaching nearly 7.8 million people across Ukraine with life-saving assistance. Alongside our partners, more than 1,400 UN personnel are delivering supplies to those most in need including women, children, elderly people and those with disabilities, across all 24 provinces in Ukraine.

This war has far-reaching consequences and is hitting economies around the globe. It is a food, energy and finance crisis where the most vulnerable countries and economies are again the most impacted. Our colleagues in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warn that one third of the crops and agricultural land may not be harvested or cultivated this year.

Dependent on both Russia and Ukraine for trade, tourism and remittances, Georgia continues to manage the economic fallout of the war and we at the UN stand ready to support.

The UN has been engaged in efforts to mitigate the impact of conflict and prevent further hostilities since the country became a UN member state thirty years ago, in 1992. This work is ongoing on a daily basis and involves several UN agencies and organizations based inside and outside of Georgia. The UN is co-chairing the Geneva international discussions together with the OSCE and the European Union. We are always ready to engage with relevant stakeholders, facilitate dialogue and communication, and offer the UN’s good offices, expertise and convening power as tools for conflict prevention and resolution. In this regard, the UN is truly a unique actor, with an unparalleled mandate and global recognition.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s UN membership. What progress do you think Georgia made in the past 30 years?

Since 31 July 1992, the UN-Georgia relationship has significantly evolved from humanitarian assistance-based to a strong partnership-based cooperation focusing on all aspects of sustainable development. Georgia has used its independence to chart a new history.

The country has made impressive progress in terms of economic growth and human development and, step by step, has laid the groundwork for building a free and democratic state. As the UN we are happy to have been able to contribute to positive changes and development gains and we stand ready to continue to accompany Georgia on this path.

What are the most pressing challenges facing the country today and how does the UN assist it in overcoming them?

While Georgia has carried out many important reforms, challenges remain. To name just a few: the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges in the social situation, economic development, as well as security need to be continuously tackled.

The UN is a longstanding supporter of Georgia’s reforms towards democracy and good governance to deliver for people. We promote and protect the rights of marginalized and vulnerable people, including children and youth, older people, people with disabilities, refugees, migrants and minorities. We believe more affordable public health, social services, education, and jobs are of utmost importance to be addressed. Additionally, agricultural sector support and digitalization of businesses in rural areas as well as other new opportunities for local communities are in the center of our assistance also with a view to women’s economic empowerment.

The UN has also supported Georgia in addressing the COVID-19 impact. Together with the European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Health, we launched a new initiative on telemedicine in autumn last year. We are working together with the government and partners to refine climate policies and protect Georgia’s environment. In 2021 we introduced climate-smart agriculture in 26 municipalities and generated job opportunities in rural areas. This journey of progress needs to continue!

How do you assess Georgia’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030?

Georgia has made significant progress towards affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), eradicating extreme poverty (SDG 1), promote responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), school enrollment rate (SDG 4) and decreasing maternal mortality (SDG 3). Better access to primary health care (SDG 3) and pre-primary education (SDG4) are goals we need to continue focussing on. Some indicators remain worrying, in particular those of violence against women (SDG 5) and those that measure climate action (SDG 13). Overall it is important to re-focus on the SDGs as they have globally become more difficult to achieve in particular due to some backsliding during the pandemic.

What is your outlook for the future of Georgia’s development?

I am an optimist! Georgia’s development trajectory has been an impressive one and I sincerely hope that the country will continue to focus on people, our planet and partnerships. The UN family remains committed to assist our host government’s development priorities and to contribute to the country’s development agenda, in line with the key principle of leaving no one behind. I very much hope that everybody in Georgia will benefit from the progress the country is making.